Young girl leaves Christian school after letter was sent home insisting she be more girly

Thompson has raised Sunnie since the girl was an infant. When she turned 5, Sunnie asked for a short haircut, her great-grandmother said.

“She had hair down to her waist and she wanted to give it to a child with cancer,” said Thompson. “After we cut her hair she started wanting to wear jeans and a T-shirt. She didn’t want to wear her frilly dresses anymore.”

Sunnie said her classmates would occasionally ask whether she was a boy or a girl, but she said the question did not hurt her feelings.

When I was five I’m not sure I knew what cancer was. Good on her. And to get that awkward question on account of doing a really compassionate thing and be ok with it? I only hope that if I ever have a child she’ll be that cool.

But what’s cool for the atheist is shit for the faithful…or was it what’s good for the goose is good for the…I’m confused. The point is that the school wasn’t as thrilled about Sunnie as I am:

The issue caught the attention of administrators at Timberlake Christian School, where Sunnie was a student.

Elementary principal Becky Bowman sent home a letter last month, reminding Thompson of the school’s religious affiliation and its policy of refusing students who contradict a “biblical lifestyle.”

“We believe that unless Sunnie and her family clearly understand that God has made her female and her dress and behavior need to follow suit with her God-ordained identity, that TCS is not the best place for her future education,” Bowman wrote in the letter, which was given to WDBJ7 by Thompson.

Wow. Let’s get voucher programs in Virginia so federal dollars that can be diverted away from public schools toward schools like this. You know, if the bible gives more of a shit about the length of her hair than about the character of the young girl and the needs of the cancer-ridden person that she helped alleviate, the bible can jump off a fucking bridge.

41 COMMENTS

This is so wrong. I don’t what to say………Oh yeah, Mrs Bowman, STICK IT!

There is nothing any normal human being could say in response to the Bowman woman. Perhaps people will pull their kids out of that school in droves. That’s something I would be engineering if I lived there.

“
“We believe that unless Sunnie and her family clearly understand that God has made her female and her dress and behavior need to follow suit with her God-ordained identity, that TCS is not the best place for her future education,”

Shit, with the crap they teach about gender identity, I would say it is not the best place for any child’s future or current education. More of a de-education. Stupid religion.

Christianity: On one hand, the natural woman is considered to be sinful; on the other, short hair for women and wearing jeans and a T-shirt are regarded as immoral because they are not natural. The point here is that Christianity has not yet developed a coherent notion of what is natural.

Christianity: On one hand, the natural woman is considered to be sinful; on the other, short hair for women and wearing jeans and a T-shirt are regarded as immoral because they are not natural. The point here is that Christianity has not yet developed a coherent notion of what is natural.

The last thing schools like that want to do is teach children to think. Sunnie is well out of it. Pity the poor little kids left there.
One has to ask why these religious organisations what to be involved in schooling. Clearly it is not for the education of children. Tax backhanders and child abuse seem to be the major contenders.

You know, if the bible gives more of a shit about the length of her hair than about the character of the young girl and the needs of the cancer-ridden person that she helped alleviate, the bible can jump off a fucking bridge.

Well, convince people they’re in the hands of a self-righteous and capricious Big Brother, and there’s no limit to how low they’ll sink.

Here is the letter to Doris Thompson: which directs Doris to the following scriptures: Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:21-27, Mathew 19:4-6, and I Corinthians 6:9-20. Here is the follow-up press release from Timberlake Christian School’s lawyers: Press Release. What would you think was implied by Mrs. Becky Bowman (who I guess isn’t Timberlake Christian Schools as stated legally) with her letter and scripture references using TCS letterhead? Was the media out of line? I like how the first paragraph of the response was propaganda (classic).

Here is the letter to Doris Thompson: which directs Doris to the following scriptures: Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:21-27, Mathew 19:4-6, and I Corinthians 6:9-20. Here is the follow-up press release from Timberlake Christian School’s lawyers: Press Release. What would you think was implied by Mr…

Here is the letter to Doris Thompson: which directs Doris to the following scriptures: Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:21-27, Mathew 19:4-6, and I Corinthians 6:9-20. Here is the follow-up press release from Timberlake Christian School’s lawyers: Press Release. What would you think was implied by Mr…

That was a press release? All it said was—Jesus fantastic, so say all of us. Duty to Jesus. No, no, no… everyone mistaken.

Had this story been about an Islamic school bullying its children into a dress code then this story would have been all over the media. Now a school primed with Christian propaganda thinks it’s ok to bully a girl – always easier than boys then there is far less said.

Had this story been about an Islamic school bullying its children into a dress code then this story would have been all over the media. Now a school primed with Christian propaganda thinks it’s ok to bully a girl – always easier than boys then there is far less said.

The school uniform is still the norm here in the UK. It’s done for a reason and children are regularly excluded when they violate it without it making news on here; I wonder why?

Two lessons can be learned here, 1. Don’t send your children to a school if you don’t agree with the ethos and 2. If you are going to violate the dress code, no matter how ludicrous the foundations it may be built on or however honourable the reasons, check with the school first.

Had this story been about an Islamic school bullying its children into a dress code then this story would have been all over the media. Now a school primed with Christian propaganda thinks it’s ok to bully a girl – always easier than boys then there is far less sai…

Its how you go about dealing with that dress code.

Here no biblical judgements were handed down damning the child for being an offence to God, which meant they did not paint themselves into a corner when it became clear this was entirely a positive and humanitarian act.

Sunnie’s great grandmother indicates a similar reason for Sunnie’s short hair.

Two lessons can be learned here, 1. Don’t send your children to a school if you don’t agree with the ethos

Oh, and, I’d like to add to your thought. You might agree with the ethos of the school all day; all night. But, your CHILD is a person too and perhaps her voice is the one that is important here (and perhaps the only one NOT being heard.)

Below is a cut and paste from the letter by “Liberty Counsel” a “Nationwide Public Interest Religious Civil Liberties Law Firm” (their letterhead) Their questionable grammar, syntax, and vague meaning is unaltered. In the interest of brevity, I have not posted the full letter. A previous link can take you there.

The Church and the School are limited in what can be related about this situation. With all due
respect, the facts are not as
S.K.’s

great

grandparents have portrayed them. This matter is far
beyond a sim
ple
‘hairstyle and tomboy issue’
as inaccuratel
y portrayed.
It is not about that at all.
At no time
did the Church or the School
state or imply that
S.K.
was sexually immoral or the
like. Yet, reports like this have appeared in the media.
The School has never told
S.K.
she cannot
return to school.

If then this is not the case, please, what exactly is the case? Would I be misinterpreting the circumstance were I to read it as an intelligent young person with a well functional intellect calling bullshit on with what her doctrinaire school is attempting to brainwash her?

Sunnie, should you read this, take heart, you have more friends than you may realize, even way down here in Australia. Stick with it, you are doing great!

On a general note, I am very concerned with the way that religious indoctrination is shifting more, in the Western world, from the pulpits, from which the crowds are fleeing in unprecedented numbers, to the schoolrooms, where they demand financial support, as well as the freedom to pervert young minds.

Could someone please explain to me why this should not be considered to be the mental equivalent of child abuse?

Essentially once you cut through BS in their press release they are saying “we’d be happy to take Sunnie back if you stop talking to the media and make this go away!.But she is still going to need to wear a bow in her hair from time to time.” In reply to #15 by Sheepdog:

Below is a cut and paste from the letter by “Liberty Counsel” a “Nationwide Public Interest Religious Civil Liberties Law Firm” (their letterhead) Their questionable grammar, syntax, and vague meaning is unaltered. In the interest of brevity, I have not posted the full letter. A previous link can ta…

Sunnie – what a cute name…and this little girl will grow up to be an even stronger character than she is already, when she’s old enough to realise how unfairly she’s been treated – for no better reason than to pander to the gender pigeon holes that religion wants to put us in….
If religions had their way women would be shackled and pregnant…Thankfully we have enlightened people in the world – who know that humans are talented people and if they are allowed to shine as who they individually are without any pre conceived expectations or prior judgements then gender would cease to be an issue….religion restricts human progress with this kind of narrow minded conformity…I hope Sunnie continues to Shine

Methinks that if Ms Bowman wishes to invoke the will of God, she needs to cease cherry picking from the Old Testament, re-read the New Testament with much more care, and then try to reconcile the contradictions between the two.

Leaving this repugnant Timberlake Christian child indoctrination facility will eventually prove to be the best thing that ever happened to Sunnie. Her great-grandmother is an understanding, loving guardian but I think she doesn’t understand the implications of religious education and their consequences. Particularly for a person who “doesn’t fit the mold” like Sunnie.

On the one hand, Doris Thompson says that Sunnie knows and understand the bible well and in the very next sentence, she says that Sunnie is too young to understand gender issues and sexual orientation. But the Bible is filled with gender issues and contains references to homosexuality as well.

Like many Christians, Thomson is well meaning but they only think they know the Bible. In fact, they only know the parts they like and are unaware of or have forgotten about the countless nasty bits about genocide, rape, infanticide, slavery, etc…

That’s why it is of the utmost importance in this day and age to completely eradicate religious education from elementary schools. It is pure poison for those vulnerable young minds. Science education OTOH should be mandatory and begin at the earliest possible age.

Americans need to understand that these “Christian” schools are nothing more than thinly veiled Madrasas that indoctrinate children with hate, fear, and ignorance. In the community where I live, the local Christian school tells it students the following: “…soon there will be a war so we must prepare. All of the Muslims will try to kill all of the Christians so we have to get ready to kill them first.” That was literally told to a child of a colleague of mine—who immediately withdrew her son from the school. They teach hate and fear and lies. We need to expose this abuse for what it is and spread the word… the word of real truth!

It’s amazing the ethical degeneration of religion when the image of a person, allegedly ordered by a god , is more important than the noble behavior of this person towards another. An this lack of ethics is financed with public money.

If anyone is interested, HERE is a link to the article on the news stations’ website that the reporter talks about at the end of the clip. As you have probably all predicted by this time, the school’s statement barely addresses the issue at all and just rambles on and on about how “We are all precious in God’s eyes…blah blah blah.”

I thought God liked little boys. At least many of his priests seem to like little boys. Hence, would it not please God if this girl looked and dressed like a boy? Or perhaps it makes God confused? Here he is jerking off, and then he learns it was a girl and not a boy… I guess, that would make any pedophile deity mad!

In fantasy land, wouldn’t it be exceptionally cool to “investigate” every single person in that school and let the full sun shine on exactly who they are and what they are up to???? I mean, a child being herself is too heavy for them to carry????

Well, what the fuck are they all up to??? Ever hear of the “casting the first stone” biblical parable??? Yeah, the folks there have never learned a fucking thing from their silly book. Not a BLESSED FUCKING THING.

I’d love to know if the principal is downloading some porn or banging the pool boy behind her husbands back. How many of the faculty are divorced or doing coke/meth/ etc….tax cheats? adulterers?

How about the other students (and I know it is inappropriate to indict them…. but this is fantasy land) what are they up to???

Anyway, the young lady, with her exceptional character and empathy at such a young age is better off running out of that place like it was on fire.

And, to all the “good christian” folks standing around looking at their shoes while a child was lampooned and embarrassed. SHAME.

That school is so transphobic!! Hate to hear this. This school should NOT be a school. This is NOT the right. It’s not good for the children. This is so hurtful especially for kids. People needs to know more about what transsexuality is all about especially some Christians!! A school is NOT supposed to destroy people that is different. Show some respect!!

wow – so I guess they would have a had a real problem with St. Joan of Arc as well, what with all the cross dressing she did in the name of God.

Actually, they did have a problem with Jean D’Arc and that was one of the main crimes she was accused of at her trial, that she wore men’s clothes rather than women’s. It’s actually interesting if you are into history because most of the history from that far back has to be pieced together from second and third hand sources but because Jean’s trial was recorded we actually have the transcripts of what was said to her and how she defended herself. She talks about how difficult it was as a young woman to be leading a bunch of men and that that is why she didn’t wear a dress but the priests who were running the trial weren’t convinced. It was pretty much a foregone conclusion anyway the Brits wanted her dead but they wanted to sanction her death via the church.

I’ve always though of all the supposed “miracles” that have been claimed over time one of the hardest to explain is how in the world a young peasant woman came to lead an army to victories that many far more experienced men before her had failed to do. This was in a time when there were incredible class and gender boundaries. For any woman to lead an army was almost unheard of but for a peasant girl it was miraculous.

Jean must have been an incredible woman and I think the best explanation is that war at that time was so much about morale. People believed in her miraculous ability and for a time it gave her the capability to win miraculous victories on the battle field.

It did take the Church over 400 years to canonise Joan. And in fairness her life triumphs, and dismal fate were as much or more about politics. She did a job, became an embarrassment and was expendable, she could have been saved at any time by a ransom, but the ex Dauphin needed his erstwhile English enemies to get rid of the nuisance for him leaving his hands clean and able to seize the myth and use it to his advantage at a more convenient time.